The Backlog:

California

We do not know the extent of the backlog in California—there is only information about the backlog at the local level, which you can see below. Like most states, California does not require its law enforcement agencies to track or count rape kits. In fact, just three states do—Colorado, Illinois and Texas—and because of the reforms these states have implemented, we now have a more accurate picture of the backlog there. This can happen in California, too. Take action today to advocate for transparency and change from our elected officials.

On September 30, 2014, Governor Brown signed legislation to amend California's Sexual Assault Victims' DNA Bill of Rights in an effort to prevent future backlogs. The legislation encourages law enforcement agencies, beginning on January 1, 2016, to submit newly collected rape kits for testing within 20 days of being booked into evidence. The law also instructs the crime lab to process rape kit evidence as soon as possible, but no later than 120 days after receiving it.

Regarding victim notification, the legislation amends the Bill of Rights to require law enforcement agencies to inform survivors, whether or not the identity of the perpetrator is known, if the law enforcement agency does not analyze the DNA evidence within certain time limits. Currently, such notification is required only in cases where the identity of the perpetrator is unknown.

Backlog Status

Reform Status

Additional Information

In addition to what we know about the backlog in Los Angeles and San Francisco, there is also information about the backlog from other jurisdictions in the state.

According to a state audit report released in October 2014, of approximately 1,900 rape kits that the Oakland Police Department, San Diego Police Department and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department received between 2011 and 2013, the departments tested just 850.

In March 2013, the Alameda County District Attorney's Office received a $1.5 million grant from Natasha's Justice Project to reduce the county's rape kit backlog. There were nearly 2,000 untested kits at police departments across the county. As of August 2014, the County had outsourced more than 100 of those kits for testing, resulting in 27 matches in the DNA database so far.

Reporters uncovered more than 2,000 untested kits at police departments across Santa Clara County in May 2013. The San Jose Police Department had over 1,800 untested kits in its property room. In the city of Santa Clara, the police collected 45 kits between 2009 and 2012, and sent seven for testing. The department had a total of 49 untested kits in its property room. The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety collected 53 kits between 2009 and 2012, and sent 12 for testing. The department had 207 untested kits in its property room.